Envelop and package fastener.



E. G. RIDDLE. ENVBLOP AND PACKAGE PASTENER.

APPLIOATION FILED APR. 1']. 1905.

ms NORRIS F278;?

5 cm, WASHINGTON, n. c.

PATBNTED DEC. 4, 1906.

' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD C. RIDDLE. OF PORTLAND, OREGON, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-THIRD TO H. V. ADIX AND ONE-THIRD TO B. B. NORTHRUP, OF PORTLAND,

OREGON.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 4, 1906.

Application filed April 17, 1905. Serial No. 256066.

Fasteners, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has for its object to obtaina simply-constructed and efficient device to be attached to the flap and body of an envelop or other case and by which the flap can be securely fastened, so that it cannot be undone without mutilating the envelop or case, and thus exhibiting evidence of having been tampered with.

I carry my invention into effect as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, hereby referred to as a part of this specification and herein fully described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 shows a partial view of a common envelop having my fastener attached thereto. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal partial section of the body of the envelop and the flap, illustrating the manner in which my fastener operates. Fig. 3 shows an enlarged detail of the sta le part of my device, which is attached to the flap or cover of the envelop or case. Fig. 4 shows a erspective'section of the locking-plate which is attached to the body of the envelop or case; and Fig. 5 shows a modification in the construction of the staple, which will be fully explained in the body of this specification.

The letters designate the parts referred to.

My fastener comprises a staple c, which is to be inserted through the flap or cover of the envelop or case, as illustrated in Fig. 2, and consists of a strip of metal, the ends of which. are shaped as shown and the extremities ef thereof being turned back to constitute hooks.

In making the staple c the same is formed as shown in Fig. 3. After the same has been so inserted through the flap or cover the ends may be flattened approximately as shown in dotted outline in Fig. 3. i

To the body of the envelop or case is fastened a plate d, having tongues g g cut out of its middle part and provided with prongs hi at its ends. This plate is secured to the under side of the body I) by driving the prongs h i through the material of the body and bending the same over to aflix the plate (1 in place, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. The body b must also be made with perforations j 1:, corresponding with the ends of the tongues g g", through which perforations the extremities of the staple c are to be inserted, as illustrated in Fig. 2.

g In fastening the flap to the body of the en velop all required to be done is to cause the extremities e f of the staple to enter the perforations j k of the body of the envelop. Said extremities of the staple will freely pass the ends of the tonguesg g of the plate (1, and the flap of the envelop may then be pressed down, so as to lie flat against the body of the envelop. It is now apparent that the moment an attempt is made to lift the flap the hook-like extremities e f Would-engage with the ends of the tongues g and render the opening of the envelop impossible Without mutilation.

Instead of making the extremities of the staple c as illustrated in Fig. 3 such extremities could be made as shown in Fig. 5, the modification consisting in roviding the ends of the staple (represented y d) with cut-out inwardly-projecting prongs Z, which would engage with the ends of the prongs g g of the plate d, substantially as explained with re gard to the operation of the hook-like extremities e f.

While in the drawings the interlocking devices are considerably exaggerated, yet no matter how small such devices be made in actual practice the extremities of the staple 0, Whether made with hooks e f or with prongs Z, will be adapted to engage and effi ciently interlock with the ends of the tongues g g of the plate d.

In order to strengthen the envelop or case, that portion of the flap and body to which the staple c and the plate d is to be afIixed may be reinforced by an additional strip of paper or cloth, as commonly done for other purposes. It is also to be observed that the shoulders of the proj ecting ho ok-like members 6 f on the extremities of the staple are formed some distance back, so as. to leave portions 6, which bear against the plate d, and prevent the tongues g g being forcibly pulled through, as otherwise there might be danger of doing when the envelop is being tampered with.

In the modified structure (shown in Fig. 5) the portion m operates in the same manner as the portions 6.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. As a new article of manufacture, a fastener comprising a tongue-plate adapted to be fastened to the body of a case and made with oppositely-extending tongues g g, being integral parts out out of the center of the plate, and a staple, adapted to be fastened to the cover of the case and to be used in connection with said tongue-plate, said staple comprising members 6 f the extremities of which are made with hooks adapted to engage with the ends of said tongues of the tongue-plate the shoulders of said hooks being formed some distance from the extremities of said members, so as to leave portions like a projecting beyond said hooks, and adapted to bear against the under side of the ends of the tongue-plate and thereby prevent the tongues of the latter being forcibly pulled up, when the fastening is being tampered with.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a fastener comprising a tongue-plate adapted to be fastened to the body of a case and made with oppositely-extending tongues g g, being integral parts out out of the center of the plate, the extremities of which are slightly curved downward, to facilitate the interlocking of the parts, and a staple, adapted to be fastened to the cover of the case and to be used in connection with said tongue-plate, said staple comprising members a f the extremities of which are made with hooks adapted to engage with the ends of said tongues of the tongue-plate; the shoulders of said hooks being formed some distance from the extremities of said members, so as to leave portions like 6 projecting beyond said hooks, and adaptedto bear against the under side of the ends of the tongue-plate and thereby prevent the tongues of the latter being forcibly pulled up, when the fastening is being tampered with.

3. As a new article of manufacture, a fastener comprising a tongue-plate adapted to be fastened to the body of a case and made with oppositely-extending tongues g g, being integral parts out out of the center of the plate; and a staple, adapted to be fastened to the cover of the case and to be used in connection with said tongue-plate, said staple comprising members 0 f the extremities of which are made with means adapted to engage with the ends of said tongues of the tongue-plate; the shoulders of said engaging means being formed some distance from the extremities of said members, so as to leave portions like e projecting beyond said engaging means, and adapted to bear against the under side of the ends of the tongue-plate and thereby prevent the tongue of the latter being forcibly pulled up, when the fastening is being tampered with.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

EDWARD C. RIDDLE.

Witnesses:

T. J. GErsLER, H. V. ADIX. 

